Year of Ovarian Cancer Awareness-Raising in Wales

[Whippit]

Today NHS Wales (The Velindre Cancer Centre) held a forum with the Minister of State for Wales who has asked the NHS, patients and interested bodies to work together to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in Wales.

It's a really exciting initiative as it brings together professionals, patients and others to raise the profile of Ovarian Cancer. In the year we have committed to ensuring every GP in Wales is offered online training on the symptoms and diagnosis of ovarian cancer, they have access to the correct diagnostic tools, and that women are aware of the early signs and consult their GPs in good time.

Target Ovarian Cancer have mailed an information pack to every GP in Wales. These include information about the four charities that support women affected by ovarian cancer, the Symptoms Trackers, and links to the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month website: ocam.org.uk

The packs contain flyers to display in GP surgeries but the group recognised the limitations of flyers, and have considered how to make contact with women across Wales. We have gained the support of a number of Welsh women's groups such as Soroptomists, WI and Townswomen's Guilds who have agreed to distribute information to all their members in time for World Ovarian Cancer Day on 8 May.

Another task for the groups to discover what is already happening in Wales in terms of awareness-raising. We're aware many women are handing out BEAT symptoms cards, asking GPs to post up flyers, and giving talks. We hope to hear from anyone in Wales who is doing something and to give it the authority of a Government Initiative backed up by the NHS in Wales.

If you are doing something for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, you hand out leaflets, or give talks please get in touch. If you're interested in joining a growing number of women in Wales who are committed to raising awareness - please get in touch. Send me a PM with your contact details and I'll add you to our list of supporters.

With a bit of luck, and support from the Government, the NHS, women's groups, interest groups, and our our charities, we hope to make a difference in Wales and one that will eventually reduce the mortality of this dreaded disease.

Please get in touch if you're interested.

Annie

Annie Mulholland

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Well done... this sounds such a positive step forward xxx

[vipervictoria]

Way to go!!! In the US they have a Survivor teaching Students programme, which has worked really well. I've always wondered if we should offer to speak to trainee GPs, who are really the front line of diagnosis. Women in Wales are lucky to have all this. Vx

[Whippit in reply to vipervictoria]

Hi V, thinking of talks to students, a few of us have been involved with the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital giving talks to 5th year medical students. I think the initiative stems from that particular teaching centre. There are only 34 medical schools in the UK. They're listed here:

medschools.ac.uk/Students/U...

If members contacted their local medical school and offered talks they may very well take you up. I worked very closely with Cardiff Medical School for 15 years and they'd take up almost any opportunity to engage patients. It's quite a challenge for them as they don't know how to go about it tactfully. If it starts the other way round, with patients contacting them, they may be delighted.

I've also given talks to the Royal College of Nursing in Wales and a nursing school in Gloucester. I am sure others would be delighted to hear from patients.

Thinking of GP training, Target Ovarian Cancer have a free online 35 minute module on the symptoms and diagnosis of ovarian cancer. They track it each month to measure the outcomes. Perhaps if they released a report listing GP practices who've done it we could mention it to our GPs when we visit if we're aware our own practice has not. I'll ask one of their team if that's a possibility.

We had a really interesting round-table discussion yesterday about diagnosis and GPs. Apparently the CA125 test now costs £4.05 so ladies, tell your friends and families and contacts to DEMAND one if they're worried. Another sticking point was GPs are reluctant to order a follow-up scan in case its negative and I found that a bit of a worry.

Please pass on information about this initiative to anyone living in Wales. xxx Annie

[Grace123 in reply to Whippit]

Great idea about offering to talk to trainee doctors & nurses - I'll definitely do this once I'm through chemo.

[Sniffy22]

I live in Wales so good to hear about trying to increase awareness. I have to admit I wasn't aware of the symptoms to be aware of until the start of this year.

[Grace123]

Fantastic news - well done!!! xxx